Customer Care Line

Negotiate Your Loans and Save Big Bucks

Who Doesn't Love A Good Bargain?

Many people love a bargain; many modern shoppers are
reviving the pride our grandparents felt in finding amazing deals. With the
rise of discounted-goods outlets and the mainstreaming of thrift, vintage, and
resale stores, a good deal is within most everyone’s reach. If you are into the
haggling and auction scene, you know better than most the kinds of amazing buys
you can get by being just a little assertive in your shopping habits.

Why are we not as assertive in our loan shopping habits?

To save money on any loan, including home, auto, and
personal loans, start by shopping around. Most consumers should try to apply
with at least two different lenders, say Osborn and Morris. The chief financial
analyst at Bankrate, Greg McBride, agrees.

“Doing so gives you a couple of advantages. One, it helps
you sort out who’s got the best deal. And it also gives you somewhat of a
bridge in negotiating things like rates and fees paid,” McBride says.

He also suggests applying to these different lenders in the
same day, but don’t stress about the multiple credit inquiries hurting your
credit scores. Multiple inquiries within one thirty-day period are treated as
one, in most cases.

“Are they entitled to a $100 processing fee, sure. One
thousand dollars? That’s excessive,” said Morris.

Osborn provides a second tip to savvy consumers: if a
mortgage lender says there are no closing costs, or insanely low closing costs,
it is likely that the lender is charging a higher interest rate to make their
money.

For auto buyers, one thing to realize is that the average
new-car loan term is running close to six years (70 months) these days. Lulic
recommends looking into refinancing an expensive car loan after a few years.
“You can save a ton of money, maybe even shorten the life of the loan,” he
says.

For many consumers, there is no harm in negotiating lower
interest rates and better terms. It’s a fact of life that you need credit in
this modern age, but that does not mean you need to go bankrupt to have the life
you want. Be smart, be savvy, and fight for your rights to affordable,
appropriate loan terms.

Disclaimer

We are not financial advisors and therefor are not giving any financial advise. Before implementing any of the tips on this website, please consult with a financial planner to ensure it makes sense for your individual financial situation.